Appropriate Dress

[EastCoastRemnant]

Does anyone have any Bible verses dealing with appropriate dress for gathering with brethren? or becoming a member of the church? The reason I ask, is I heard another Adventist minister preaching on Sabbath that getting back to the standards means dressing a certain way... eg: untucked shirts not ok, suit and tie ok. While i understand and agree with modest appearances, I feel that we are focusing on the wrong things at this point in earths history and some are more concerned with matters such as whether a person should be alloweed membership into the denomination beacause of whether they wear jeans to church. Is this what Jesus taught? Is this what we should be focusing on at this time?

So again I ask, besides the levitical priestly dress requirements, does the Bible support such doctrine?

Thanx...

 

[k4c]

Does anyone have any Bible verses dealing with appropriate dress for gathering with brethren? or becoming a member of the church? The reason I ask, is I heard another Adventist minister preaching on Sabbath that getting back to the standards means dressing a certain way... eg: untucked shirts not ok, suit and tie ok. While i understand and agree with modest appearances, I feel that we are focusing on the wrong things at this point in earths history and some are more concerned with matters such as whether a person should be alloweed membership into the denomination beacause of whether they wear jeans to church. Is this what Jesus taught? Is this what we should be focusing on at this time?

So again I ask, besides the levitical priestly dress requirements, does the Bible support such doctrine?

Thanx...

As long as your clothes are clean and won't tempt anyone then it's okay. I think it's a good idea to wear at least a collared shirt and tie if your preaching but that's only me.

 

[OntheDL]

Does anyone have any Bible verses dealing with appropriate dress for gathering with brethren? or becoming a member of the church? The reason I ask, is I heard another Adventist minister preaching on Sabbath that getting back to the standards means dressing a certain way... eg: untucked shirts not ok, suit and tie ok. While i understand and agree with modest appearances, I feel that we are focusing on the wrong things at this point in earths history and some are more concerned with matters such as whether a person should be alloweed membership into the denomination beacause of whether they wear jeans to church. Is this what Jesus taught? Is this what we should be focusing on at this time?

So again I ask, besides the levitical priestly dress requirements, does the Bible support such doctrine?

Thanx...

Are you saying if you were meeting the president of the United States, or facing a judge in court, you would wear jeans and T-shirts? Or have you shirt not tucked in?

You wear your best, most presentable cloths when meeting the king of the universe. If you look at the Jews, their long tradition is that you do everything possible to make the sabbath a special day: they take out the best China, cook special meals, lay out new bedings, put on the best cloths...

I don't understand why this should be an issue worth spending time on. Even at my work, there is a professional dress code: jeans, sleeveless,collar-less shirts, untucked shirts, open toed shoes are inappropriate. This type of clothing were first worn in the 1960s by the hippies as a message of rebellion.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Are you saying if you were meeting the president of the United States, or facing a judge in court, you would wear jeans and T-shirts? Or have you shirt not tucked in?

You wear your best, most presentable cloths when meeting the king of the universe. If you look at the Jews, their long tradition is that you do everything possible to make the sabbath a special day: they take out the best China, cook special meals, lay out new bedings, put on the best cloths...

I don't understand why this should be an issue worth spending time on. Even at my work, there is a professional dress code: jeans, sleeveless,collar-less shirts, untucked shirts, open toed shoes are inappropriate. This type of clothing were first worn in the 1960s by the hippies as a message of rebellion.

You've brought up some good points that need addressing...

First, there is no Biblical backing for what you just said. Basing it upon the Jews, who were legalistic to the max, is not a good premise, imo. Conforming to wordly norms is not sound practice either. Do you think that someone that attends church, or visits the President or goes to work dressed humbly will be considered less than by God? God doesn't care what is on the outside, only on the inside....

Secondly, who decided what 'proper' dress is? Just because it was proper dress for men to wear leotards and pointy heeled shoes with a powdered wig at one time does not make it proper for all ages. Just as the current accepted dress code is the norm today does not make it eternal. Do you think you'll be wearing your best business suit when going to worship in the new earth? God made us as He saw fit and if you'll remember, that was without clothing.

Thirdly, you stated that open toed shoes, collarless tunics that weren't tucked in were innaproprite? Thats what Jesus wore... it's a shame He wouldn't be accepted today because of the way He dressed.

 

[Stryder06]

I think that we need not make it an issue about what way someone should dress. I totally agree that our best should be put forward, and I believe that so long as Christ is moving in the life of the one who confesses His name, He will lead them in all things, including how they should dress.

 

[OntheDL]

You've brought up some good points that need addressing...

First, there is no Biblical backing for what you just said. Basing it upon the Jews, who were legalistic to the max, is not a good premise, imo. Conforming to wordly norms is not sound practice either. Do you think that someone that attends church, or visits the President or goes to work dressed humbly will be considered less than by God? God doesn't care what is on the outside, only on the inside....

I'm sorry but the reasons you stated sound legalistic and self-righteous to dwell on such a petty matter.

There are a lot of good things we can learn from the Jews. Such as faithful tithing, strong family ties and making sabbath a special day.

The bible does not give specifics for everything. If one is looking for a verse for everything he/she does, that's legalistic and text-proofing.

Secondly, who decided what 'proper' dress is? Just because it was proper dress for men to wear leotards and pointy heeled shoes with a powdered wig at one time does not make it proper for all ages. Just as the current accepted dress code is the norm today does not make it eternal. Do you think you'll be wearing your best business suit when going to worship in the new earth? God made us as He saw fit and if you'll remember, that was without clothing.

Thirdly, you stated that open toed shoes, collarless tunics that weren't tucked in were innaproprite? Thats what Jesus wore... it's a shame He wouldn't be accepted today because of the way He dressed.

I think your second point answered this. The bible doesn't define an appropriate dress code, because it would be different for every age. But most people wear most presentable cloths when they go to job interviews, face a judge in court or go to any special occasion. People go to church in presentable business attires. This is what deems acceptable for the occasion in this age. When someone comes in with different cloths (untucked shirts, jeans, open neck shirt the cloths of rebellion when they came in the 60s), it draws attention to them. The bible tells us not to cast a stumbling block. Is that the kind of message you want to send when you go to church?

I have never talked about what we should wear to church except against the provocative cloths. If you want to wear jeans, t-shirts and your motive is pure then by all means. We have many more weightier matters of faith to study and to think of.

 

[ricker]

+Thirdly, you stated that open toed shoes, collarless tunics that weren't tucked in were innaproprite? Thats what Jesus wore... it's a shame He wouldn't be accepted today because of the way He dressed.

I used to give my friend grief for wearing sandals until he reminded to me that Jesus wore them. Touche!

 

[OntheDL]

I used to give my friend grief for wearing sandals until he reminded to me that Jesus wore them. Touche!

Yes touchy! Maybe your friend also wears a long gown since Jesus wore one.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I'm sorry but the reasons you stated sound legalistic and self-righteous to dwell on such a petty matter.

I brought this subject up for discussion because so many within Christianity make this issue a big deal. I agree with you that it is a petty matter although from your few comments on the 'rebellious' and 'hippy' origins of todays casual dress, it seems (forgive me if I'm wrong) you would form an opinion on someone based soley on how they dressed...

 

[k4c]

It's in man's nature to look at the outward. But thanks be to God that He looks at the heart.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

It's in man's nature to look at the outward. But thanks be to God that He looks at the heart.

Amen... but aren't we to change our nature to that of Christs? It saddens me to hear ministers extolling the virtues of health and dress with such zeal as to make them quasi salvational...

 

[k4c]

Amen... but aren't we to change our nuture to that of Christs? It saddens me to hear ministers extolling the virtues of health and dress with such zeal as to make them quasi salvational...

All man can do is look at the outward and there is nothing wrong with that. The problem comes when I begin to set a standard for you which I use to determine where your heart is with God.

 

[ricker]

Yes touchy! Maybe your friend also wears a long gown since Jesus wore one.

Your post matches your mood icon.

 

[OntheDL]

You are what you want others perceive you to be and perception is reality.

Since we don't just worship at home, we go to places where people are. There is an accepted norm in the society. We need to be respectful and presentable. When we act differently, it draws attention. The bible warns us not to be a stumbling block. We need to be pure with the motive and be careful with the message it sends by acting out of the norm.

 

[k4c]

You are what you want others perceive you to be and perception is reality.

Since we don't just worship at home, we go to places where people are. There is an accepted norm in the society. We need to be respectful and presentable. When we act differently, it draws attention. The bible warns us not to be a stumbling block. We need to be pure with the motive and be careful with the message it sends by acting out of the norm.

The problem is not with the one who is dressed differently, the problem is the one judging him. It all boils down to how you're taught. People believe drinking wine and eating meat is a sin not because the Bible says so, but rather, that's how they were taught. The Bible calls those who believe drinking wine and eating meat is a sin, weaker brothers. It's none of our buisness how people dress as long as their manner of dress is not provocative. Many people would be offended if a man from Pakistan was wearing a turbin. Does the man wearing the turbin have the problem or does the one having the prejudice feelings have the problem? Let's focus on the inward by teaching correctly because as a man thinks, that's who he is.

 

[Joe67]

The Lord has given us a guiding judgment.

Ex 19:10-15
10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. KJV

Cleanliness and abstaining from sexual activity is a good preparation for meeting with the Lord our God.

Joe

 

[k4c]

The Lord has given us a guiding judgment.

Ex 19:10-15
10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. KJV

Cleanliness and abstaining from sexual activity is a good preparation for meeting with the Lord our God.

Joe

The New Testament teaches modesty and appropriateness relating to the opposite sex. Let's do the work of God's Spirit in bringing in our own personal religious or cultural rules and regulations.

 

[Joe67]

The New Testament teaches modesty and appropriateness relating to the opposite sex. Let's do the work of God's Spirit in bringing in our own personal religious or cultural rules and regulations.

Then we will be sitting in the seat.

 

[k4c]

Then we will be sitting in the seat.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Are you saying if you were meeting the president of the United States, or facing a judge in court, you would wear jeans and T-shirts? Or have you shirt not tucked in?

If the president had a "come just as you are" policy (as Jesus Christ does), then yes I would

You wear your best, most presentable cloths when meeting the king of the universe. If you look at the Jews, their long tradition is that you do everything possible to make the sabbath a special day: they take out the best China, cook special meals, lay out new bedings, put on the best cloths...

If we're going to worry about how we present ourselves for corporate worship, let's put our focus in the right place. Let's start with the way we worship God throughout the week. Clothes mean more to people and impressing others is often the motivation for wearing them. That's the wrong motivation for corporate worship.

I don't understand why this should be an issue worth spending time on.

On this point, I agree. People should approach corporate worship with an honest heart, wearing the clothes that are comfortable for them. If that's a suit, then you have my blessing. If not, I'm fine by that too.

Even at my work, there is a professional dress code: jeans, sleeveless,collar-less shirts, untucked shirts, open toed shoes are inappropriate. This type of clothing were first worn in the 1960s by the hippies as a message of rebellion.

A careful review of professional dress codes will reveal that corporate America (as an example) is changing its perspective on what suitable attire really is. However, I'm not sure that I want corporate America to dictate to me the way in which I approach my God in worship.

BFA